One For All!!!

On Wednesday night I attended the Girls Basketball Banquet. It was a great to see the athletes, parents, and coaches celebrate a wonderful season. As each coach recapped each team’s season, one message was certainly clear: the whole is bigger than the parts.

Successful athletic teams/programs have the team first mentality. When individuals on a team sacrifice personal achievement for the greater good, it is a powerful thing. The three levels (V, JV, Fr) combined had an overall record of 40-15! If you include Von E. Mauger Girls Basketball (18-4) the combine record is 58-19! Wow!!! It is evident that to have that type of success, many personal sacrifices were made, not only by players, but also by families.

The smiles, laughter, and conversation that I witnessed is by far more important than any win or loss. It is refreshing to see a group of athletes and families coming together to celebrate a successful season and many great memories!

Thank you to the athletes, families, and coaches for allowing me to be part of the ride! Go Jays!!!

Expectations of Fans

Attending an athletic event should be a great experience. There should be anticipation and excitement of watching your team play.  As March nears the excitement builds even more and “March Madness” over takes us.

The NJSIAA State Basketball Tournament begins Monday, March 3rd. The boys basketball team will host Metuchen High School at 7:00pm and the girls basketball team will host a home game (opponent TBA) on Wednesday, March 5th at 7:00pm.

It is hoped that we pack the gym for our teams.  It is also hoped all our fans represent our school and community in a positive manner.  Remember players play, coaches coach, officials officiate, and fans support their team in positive cheer!  Our athletes and coaches deserve your support!

Let’s have a great tournament season and cheer our team onto victory but more importantly represent our community in a positive manner!  Go Jays!!! 

 

 

Learn to Compete

“There are two kinds of people, those who do the work and those that take the credit.  Try to be in the first group; there is less competition there.” – Indira Gandhi

Nothing is better than watching our athletes and teams compete. Some games we win and some we lose, but the effort and the will to win is so impressive.   All our athletes have invested a great amount of time because of their love of the sport and it shows when they are in the spotlight. 
 
Learning to compete every day is a habit.  It is a choice an athlete makes every time they step onto the basketball court, wrestling mat, or bowling alley that they are ready to give tremendous effort.  Whatever the final outcome, the athlete is already a winner because of their effort! 

As student-athletes graduate and enter into college or the work force, they will already have learned a valuable character trait – how to compete.  A trait that will benefit them the rest of their life!

Go Jays!!!

Playing at the Next Level

Many high school athletes dream about playing at the next level.  For those athletes that have the skill and determination to take the journey, it is a rewarding experience.  As the school year reaches the halfway point, I would like to share some information when thinking about the next step.

According to the National Federation of High School Athletics  in 2012-2013, 7,713,577 athletes participated in high school athletics.  In a recent article “Spending big on kids’ sports?  You’re not alone” it is estimated that 35 million kids between the ages 5 to 18 participate in organized sports with their parents hoping for an athletic scholarship in the future.  The article also states that the travel industry for youth sports is near seven billion dollars as kids, parents, and families travel around the country to compete in athletic showcases.

 As the statistics above show, there is a lot of competition for not only an athletic scholarship but just a college roster spot.  Only Division I and II universities/colleges give athletic scholarships.  Statistics also show an athlete is more likely to receive a quarter or partial scholarship rather than a full scholarship.  Financial aid and grants can also be earned.

When the time comes to think about college and participation in athletics at the next level the following questions should be asked:

1.  Does the university/college have my major or interested area of study?
2.  Do I fit in?  Can I see myself being an active participant on campus and enjoying my four years of college?
3.  Will a degree from this university/college help me attain my “dream” job?  Is there a strong alumni base?
4.  Does the university/college offer me an opportunity to play a varsity sport.  Do I have a realistic opportunity to play?

If the above answers are yes, go for it and enjoy the journey!

Go Jays!!!

Parental Support

Many times parents ask how can they support their child in athletics.  It is certainly a difficult question to answer and there really is no right or wrong answer.  The best advice that one can give is to be a good listener and provide the “parental support” that is necessary for ones development.

Playing competitive sports can certainly be stressful but the rewards of competition will certainly benefit ones development. Setting personal and team goals and striving to achieve them is a wonderful journey.  The experiences of winning and losing are minor compared to the core qualities of learning how to compete, the constant testing of ones dedication and commitment, and the persevering through difficult situations that always arise during the pursuit of glory.

As a parent, allow the coach to motivate and push your child to go beyond his/her limits.   Yes, there may be waves in the water and your child may become discouraged or overwhelmed but this is where the “parental support” is needed.  Listening is sometimes all that is needed.

Enjoy the journey!  Go Jays!!!

Get Involved!

When a ninth grade student enters the hallways of  Middlesex High School his/her athletic eligibility clock begins to tick.  Students have four years/eight consecutive semesters of eligibility to participate in athletics.  In a blink of an eye those four years go pretty quick and the opportunity that is lost can never be recreated.

Athletics is an integral part of the educational process.  It teaches discipline, leadership, sportsmanship, and a healthy spirit of competition.  The extent of character development depends upon personal pride and motivation.  Its continual growth is nearly unlimited, and through the guidance of coaching and athletic participation, the athlete can develop to his/her potential and personal fulfillment.

Middlesex High School is proud to offer 17 varsity level sports and 13 sub varsity sports.  Our coaches are well versed in their respective sport and our teams play a competitive schedule as we strive to be recognized as an elite Group 1 athletic program!

I have heard many times that high school is supposed to be the best four years of one’s life.  Well then let’s make it happen!  Get involved!

Go Jays!!!